Boiler-tube cleaner.



No. 671,335. Patented Apr. -2, 1901, v

w. n. FORSYTH a e. T. BELL.

BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

(Application filed .m 11, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Shoats-Sheat l.

WITNESSES: INVENTORS BY J 4 0% MW @MWM 542: ATTORN EY.

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Patented Apr- 2, 19m.

W. D. FDRSYTH &. E. T. BELL.

BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

' (Application filed July 17, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTORS M A). %m 4z2 By 6110. J/saze (lucmwu.

fi ATTORNEY.

m: "cams PETERS ca. mow-urns" WASHINGTON. n. c

No. 67|,335. Patented Apr. 2, IBM.

W. D. FORSYTH &. E. T. BELL- BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

(Application filed -Tuly 17, 1899.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

WITNESSES: I (Ly/E43? S.

j w a j m ATTORNEY.

No. 67!,335. Patented Apr. 2, I90l.

W. D. FURSYTH &. E. T. BELL.

BOILER TUBE CLEANER.

(No Model.) (Application med any 17, 1899') 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

N0. 67l,335. Patented Apr. 2 190i;

w. n. FOR'S YTH & E. T. BELL.

BOILER'TUBE CLEANER.

(Applicatiun filed July 17, 1899.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

YIIIIA'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA WITNESSES ATTORN EY.

lrrnn Erica.

WILBER D. FORSYTH AND ENOS T. BELL, OF FI'ITSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,ASSIGNORS TO THE UNION BOILER TUBE CLEANER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BOILER-TU BE CLEANER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 671,335, dated April 2,1901.

Application filed July 17,1899. Serial No. 72 L169. \No model.)

T at whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILBER D. FORSYTH and ENOs T. BELL, citizens of theUnited States, and residents of Pittsburg, in the county of Alleghenyand State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Mechanism for Cleaning Boiler-Tubes; and we do declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description [0 of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters and figures of reference markedthereon, I5 which form a part of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of our invention as applied,the boiler being shown as in section. Fig. 1 is a detail view of thepulley-carrying frame 46 andits clamps.

Fig. 1 is a detail view of the cross-bar 38 and adjacent parts. Fig. 2is a side elevation of our invention as applied, the boiler being:

shown as in section. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the handle 29. Fig. 3 isa detail view of base-plate l, arin'3, foot 4, and adjacent parts. Fig.at is a sectional detail view illustrating the adjustable connection ofthe foot 4: and collar l. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of saidfoot 4; and collar 4. Fig. 6 isa 0 detail View of the arm 8, leg 9, andadjacent parts. Fig. 7 is a detail View of the leg 9. Fig. 8 is a detailview of the spur gear-wheels 12, 14, and 15 and adjacent parts. Fig. 9is a cross-section through pulley 13, clamp-plate 5 10, and intermediateparts. Fig. 10 is a section on the line 0090, Fig. 8. Fig. 11 isasection on the line yy, Fig. 8. Fig. 12 isadetail view of one of thesleeves 21. Fig. 13 is a detail view illustrating the coupling for thesections of the rod 20. Fig. 14; shows the couplingof a rod-section aseffected and the section ready to be moved down and secured by thelatchplates 27. Fig. 15 is a detail side elevation showing thesupporting-tongs 65 in engage- 5 ment with one of the rod-sections. Fig.16 is a section on the line 0000, Fig. 15. detail view of thelatch-plates 27 when separated. Fig. 18 is a detail view of clamp-plate10. This invention relates to mechanism for the operation ofboiler-tubecleaning implements Fig. 17 is a in water-tube boilers of thetype having vertical tubes, such as the Oahallj Oook, and other boilersof this class. In as far as we are aware no device has yet been producedor placed upon the market adapted to the purpose of cleaning water-tubeboilers of this type n a practical and satisfactory manner; and thepresent invention has for its object generally the provision of meansfor use in connection with the various tube-cleaning devices which wehave heretofore patented, wherebythe tubes of this class of boilers maybe thoroughly cleaned in an expedient and practical manner.

With this object in view the invention consists in the novelconstruction and conibination of parts, all as hereinafter described,and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown the invention as applied foruse in a Cahall boiler.

In the drawings the letter A designates the annular drum of the boiler,from the bottom of which lead the water-tubes B and in one side of whichis a manhole O.

The numeral 1 designates what may be termed a base-plate, having aconcave inner face adapted to fit against the inner wall of the annulardrum, extended downwardly to rest upon an annular flange a of the bottomof the drum and which is also supported by a foot or bracket 2, whichrests upon the bottom of the drum. The arms 2 of this foot or bracketare slotted vertically, as shown at 2", to seat the securing-bolts 2 andto provide for the vertical adjustment of the base-plate. Rigidlysecured to this base-plate isa horizontal radially-projecting arm 3,which is further supported by a verticallyadjustable foot 4, which restson the bottom of the drum and is secured to a collar 4 on said arm. Inthe outer end of said arm is an adjustable screw-stud 5, which hasball-bearing against a block 5 on the outer wall of the drum and whichis adjusted by turning a nut portion 6 thereof. The arm 3 is providedwith a longitudinally-extending keyway 3 which is engaged by a feather 7of a clamp '7, carried by an arm 8, which extends at right angles to thearm 3, and is supported at its distant end by an adjustable leg 9. Saidarm 8 is formed with a keyway 8*, which is engaged bya key or feather 10of aclamp-plate 10. This keyway is considerably wider than the-thicknessof the engaging key 10*, thus allowing said plate to turn on said arm toa limited degree when the clamp is loosened for the purpose hereinafterstated. Said plate 10 is of circular form and is provided with oppositeelongated arcuate slots 10 to receive screw-bolts I 11, which are seatedin one end portion of a radial arm 11." Said arm 11 is pivoted to swingfrom the center of the plate 10 when said nuts end portion of the saidarm, as hereinafter more fully described.

16 designates a guard or casing over the gear-wheel 15.

1'7 designates the boiler-tu'be-cleaning head or implement, which may beof the jointed or non-jointed type, which we have described and claimedin former patents.

18 is a winged guide device which is adapted to pass through the tubewith the head and which is connected to the head by a universal joint19.

20 is the sectional feed and carrying rod for the cleaner-head, formedwith a longitudinal keyway 20, arranged to slide on the key 21 of asleeve 21. This sleeve is formed with an external keyway 21, which isfitted to engage a key or spline 22 of a short hollow shaft or quill 23,to which the gear-wheel 15 is keyed and which is rotatably seated in abearing in the arm 11. From this construction and arrangement it will beseen that rotary movement of the gear-wheel 15 and shaft or quill 23will be imparted to the rod 20, while at the same time said rod iscapable of endwise or vertical movement through said gear-wheel.

The sections of the rod 20 are coupled together by means of sleeve-co uplings 24, inclosing the adjacent end of said sections. These couplingsare each rigidly secured to one of the sections which they connect andare each provided with a spring-latch 25, adapted to snap intoengagement with radial openings 26 therefor in the end portion of theadjacent section. The sleeve 21 of each rod while the latter is beingfed through the gear-wheel 15 is held in position in said wheel by meansof latch-plates 27, pivoted at 27 in the guard or casing 16, beforereferred to. These plates en- Journaled to the inner portion of gage anannular groove 22 in the said sleeve 21 and are held in engagingposition by a keeper 28, which clamps their free end por-.

tions. The upper rod-section is provided with a swivel'ed handle 29, bymeans of which the operator within the drum controls the operation. Thehub portion of this handle is provided with a bail or loop 30, to whichis attached a rope 31, which passes up to the top of the drum and overpulleys 32, 33, and 34, its free end being weighted, as at 35. Inaddition to this weight 35 smaller detachable weights 36, similar toscale-weights, are provided. Pulleys 32 and 33 are carried by a sleeve37, which is slidably mounted on a cross-bar 38 and secured in thedesired position thereon by means of a set-screw 40. Said bar 38issecured at one end to a block or plate 41, which bears against theouter wall of the boiler-drum and at its opposite end carries anadjustable screw-stud 42, which has a bearing against a piece 43*,connected to a block or plate 43, which seats against the inner wall ofthe drum. The stud 42 is'provided with an adjusting portion 44, by meansof which it is adjusted to press the blocks 41 and 43 against the wallsof the drum. These blocks rest on the rivet-heads X of the drum, whichsupport them when the pressure of the bar 38 is released, so that saidparts may be moved from'one place to another in the drum or removedwithout danger of their falling. The manner in which these pulleys aresupported permits them to be quickly adjusted in order to bring the pullon the rope 31 in line with the feeding-rod. The pulley 34 hooks intothe manhole H in the top of the boiler and carries the rope andcounterweight back out of the way of the operator within the drum.

Power is applied to the sheave or pulley 13 by means of a rope, belt, orcable 45, which is brought into the drum through the manhole 0.

' 46 is a pulley-carrying frame or shaft provided with clamps 48. Theseclamps are made to enter neatly the manhole at the center and then dropto a point where the clampscrews 48 may secure a firm hold on the wallof the drum adjacent to the hole. The twin idle pulleys 49 and 50 areloosely journaled on studs 51 of the block 51, which is slidably mountedon the shaft 46 and is secured in the desired position by a set-screw51". The pulley 49 forms a guide for the ingoing branch of the drivingrope or cable, while the pulley 50 forms a guide for the outgoing branchof the same. These two pulleys may, however, be mounted on separateblocks, as shown in drawing.

53 and 54 designate two intermediate idle pulleys, which are for thepurpose of carrying the rope or belt around the interior wall of thedrum, as shown, or around braces which may be encountered in othersimilar types of boilers. These pulleys are loosely journaled on studs55 of a block 56, which is slidably mounted on a rod 57. Said pulleysmay,however, be mounted on separate blocks. The inner end of said rodhas a bearing against the inner Wall of the drum, and its outer end. hasa screw-stud 58, which bears against a block 59, resting against theouter wall of the drum. Stud 58 has an adjusting portion 60.

Although forming no part of our invention, we have shown a suitablearrangement of rope or belt guiding pulleys 61, 62, and 63 exteriorly ofthe drum.

The parts having been set up in the drum in the manner shown in Fig. 2,the mode of operation is as follows: The cleaning-head is inserted inthe top of the tube to be cleaned and is supported by suitable means,such as the tongs 65, (shown in Fig. 15,) which are provided with a pin66, which enters a hole 66 in the rod just above the cleaner-head andguide, the tongs lying across the topof the tube. The arm 11 is thenswung into proper position and locked by means of the screw-bolts 11.The feed-rod is then thrust through the gear-wheel15 and is connected tothe head by means of one of the couplings 24. The rod-sleeve 21 is thensecured by means of the latch-plates 27. The handle 29 is next attachedto the rod and also to the counter-weighted rope 31. The tongs are thenremoved and power is applied, the feedrod being rotated by the gearingabove described and its operation controlled by the operator through thehandle-that is to say, the operator by means of this handle controls therate of feed of the cleaner-head. When the rod is fed its length, thepower is stopped, the tongs 65 are engaged with a hole in said rodimmediately below the handle, the handle is removed, another section ofrod coupled on, and the handle replaced. The latch-plates 27 are thenopened to allow the coupling to pass through the gear-Wheel 15, afterwhich they are closed to engage the sleeve of the rod-section lastcoupled. The couplings are formed with key ways 248, which engage thekey in the hollow shaft 23, so that the feed-rod continues to be rotatedduring the time the coupling is passing through said shaft or quill.This operation is repeated, and as many rod-sections are successivelycoupled on as may be necessary until the cleaner-head reaches the lowerend of the tube, after which they are withdrawn and un: coupled, beingsupported by the tongs 65 while being uncoupled. The cleaner-head isthen placed in the next tube, the radial arm 11 is properly adjusted tobring the gear' wheel 15 in line therewith, and the operation isrepeated. When all the tubes within the radius of the movement of thearm 11 have been cleaned, the clampplate 10 may beadjusted on the arm 8to give the arm 11 a movement over a dilferent set of tubes, or whennecessary the base-plate 1, with the parts carried thereby, can be movedto adifferent position in the drum, said plate and parts being readilymovable to any desired position in the drum. To reach the tubes on theopposite side of the boiler, the machine is reversed by changing the arm8 to cause it to project in the opposite direction to that in which itis shown in the drawings, the idle pulleys for the driving belt or ropeand the pulleys for the counter-weighted rope being adjusted to suit thechanged conditions.

It will be readily understood that the radial arm 11 can be m nved toany position within its limit of movement without affecting theoperation of the driving-gear for the feed-rod.

The play permitted by the loose engagement of the key 1O with the keyway8 above described allows angular adjustment of the driving-gear to suitthe pitch of the tubes.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Let-- ters Patent, is-

1. In mechanism for operating boiler-tube cleaners, the combination withan adjustable support and a driving-wheel carried thereby, of atube-cleaning implement, a feed-rod therefor rotatably connected withsaid wheel, a rope or the like attached to said rod, and carrying aconnterbalancing-weight, an ad justable supportabove said rod, and aguidepulley for said rope adjustable upon said lastnamed support, tokeep said rope in line with said implement and with the tube to becleaned, substantially as specified.

2. In mechanism for operating boiler-tube cleaners, the combination withan adjustable support and a driving-wheel carried thereby,

of a tube-cleaning implement, a feedrod therefor rotatably connectedwith said wheel, a rope or the like attached to said rod, and carrying acounterbalancing-weight, an adjustable support above said rod,guide-pulleys for said rope at right angles to each other adjustableupon said last-named support, a third guide-pulley for said rope in rearof said first-named pulleys, substantially as specified.

3. In mechanism for the purpose described, the combination with anadjustable support and a d rivingwheel carried thereby, ot' a tubecleaning implement, a feed-rod therefor rotatably connected with saidwheel, a rope or the like attached to said rod and carrying acounterbalancing-weight, a support above said rod, an adjustable blockupon said support, guide-pulleys for said rope at right angles to eachother upon said block, and a third guide-pulley for said rope having ahooked supporting-frame in rear of said firstnamed pulleys,substantially as specified.

l. In mechanism for the purpose described, the combination with anadjustable support and a wheel carried thereby, of a tube cleaningimplement, a feed-rod therefor rotatably connected with said Wheel, abelt or the like for driving said wheel, adjustable guide-pulleys forsaid belt in the manhole of the boiler,

IQO

adjustable guide-pulleys for said belt intermediate of said manhole andwheel, and means exterior of the boiler for driving said belt,substantially as specified.

5. In mechanism for the purpose described, the combination with anadjustable support and a wheel carried thereby, of a tube-cleaningimplement, a feed-rod therefor rotatably connected with said wheel, abelt or the like for driving said Wheel, a bar or shaft in the manholeof the boiler, ablock or blocks adjustable upon said bar, guide-pulleysfor said belt upon said block or blocks, a bar or shaft intermediate ofsaid manhole, and wheel, a

block or blocks adjustable upon said lastnamed bar, guide-pulleys forsaid belt carried by said last-named block or blocks, and means exteriorof the boiler for driving said belt, substantially as specified.

6. In mechanism for the purpose described,

the combination with boiler-tube-cleaning devices, and adriving-belt'therefor, of a bar or shaft carrying guide-pulleys for saidbelt and having clamps adapted to neatly enter the manhole of the boilerat its center and to be dropped into position to engage the walls of theboiler-drum adjacent thereto, and means for driving said belt,substantially as specified.

7, In mechanism for the purpose described, the combination with asupport and a drivingwheel carried thereby, of a tube-cleaningimplement, a sectional feed-rod therefor rotatablyengaging said wheel,and having recesses therein at one end of the sections. thereof,

coupling-sleeves for the sections of said rod,

and having pivoted latches extending lengthwise thereof, and engagingthe recesses of said rod-sections, and means for securing said latchesfrom disengagement, substantially as specified.

8. In mechanism for the purpose described, the combination with asupport and a driving- Wheel carried thereby, of an endWise-movablesleeve rotatably connected with said wheel, a

tube-cleaning implement, a sectional feedrod therefor rotatablyconnected with said sleeve, and having recesses therein at one end ofthe sections thereof, couplings for the sectionsof said rod havingpivoted latches extending lengthwise thereof and engaging the recessesof said rod, means for securing said latches from disengagement withsuch recesses,and means for supporting said sleeve, substantially asspecified.

9. In mechanism for the purpose described,

the combination with a support and a drivingwheel carried thereby, of anendwise-movable sleeve rotatably connected with said wheel, atube-cleaning implement, a sectional feedrod therefor rotatablyconnected with said sleeve, couplings for the sections of said rodrotatably connected with said wheel, and means for supporting saidsleeves, substantially as specfied.

10. In mechanism for the purpose described,

mat

the combination with a support and adrivingwheel carried thereby, of anendwise-movable sleeve rotatably connected with said wheel, atube-cleaning implement, a sectional feedrod therefor rotatablyconnected with said sleeve, couplings for the sections, of said rodrotatably connected with said wheel, means for supporting said sleeve,and means for supporting said implement, and its connected rod sectionor sections while the latter are being coupled or uncoupled,substantially as specified.

11. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with'a supportand adrivingwheel carried thereby, of an endwise movable sleeverotatably connected with said Wheel, a tube-cleaning implement, asectional feedrod therefor rotatably connected with said sleeve;couplings for the sections of said rod rotatably connected with saidwheel, a latch device engaging a groove or recess of said sleeve tosupport the same, and tongs for supporting said implement-and itsconnected rod section or sections while the latter are being coupled oruncoupled, substantially as specified.

12. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a supportand a drivingwheel carried thereby, of an endwise-movable sleeverotatably connected With said Wheel, a tube-cleaning implement, asectional feedrod therefor rotatably connected with said sleeve,couplings for the sections of said rod rotatably connected with saidwheel, a guard for said wheel, and a latch pivoted thereto, and engaginga groove or recess of said sleeve to support the same,substantially asspecified.

13. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a supportand a drivingwheel carried thereby, of an endwise-movable sleeverotatably connected with said wheel, a tube-cleaning implement, asectional feedrod therefor rotatably connected with said sleeve,couplings for the sections of said rod rotatably connected with saidwheel, means for supporting said sleeve, and counterbalancing devicesfor said implement and its feed-rod, substantially as specified,

14:. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a supportand a wheel carried thereby, of an endwise-movable sleeve rotatablyconnected with said wheel, a tubecleaning implement, a sectional feedrod therefor rotatably connected with said sleeve,

couplings for the sections of said rod rotatably connected with saidwheel, means for driving said wheel, means for supporting said sleeve, apulley having a driving connection I with said wheel,a driving-belt orthe like therefor, guide-pulleys for said belt in the manhole of theboiler, and guide-pulleys for said belt intermediate of said first-namedpulley, and said manhole, substantially as specified.

15. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with anadjustable support and a driving-wheel carried thereby, of anendwise-niovable sleeve rotaiably connected with said Wheel, atube-cleaning implement, a sectional feed-rod therefor rotatablyconnected with said sleeve, couplings for the sections of said rodrotatably connected with said wheel, means forsupportiug said sleeve, asupport above said Wheel, a pulley adj ustable upon said support,'and arope or cable a tached to said feed-rod, passing over said p ulley, andhaving a counterbalancing-weight, substantially as specified.

16. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with anadjustable support and a driving-wheel carried thereby, of anendwise-movable sleeve rotatably connected with said wheel, atube-cleaning implement, a sectional feed-rod therefor rotatablyconnected with said sleeve, couplings for the sections of said rodrotatably connected with said wheel, means for supporting said sleeve,means for supporting said implement and its connected rod section orsections while the latter are being coupled or uncoupled,andcounterbalancing devices for said implement, and'its feed-rod,substantially as specified.

17. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with anadjustable support and a d riving-wheel carried thereby, of anendwise-movable sleeve rotatably connected with said wheel, atube-cleaning implement, a sectional feedrod therefor rotatablyconnected with said sleeve, couplings for the sections of said rodrotatably connected with said wheel, a pivoted latch engaging a grooveor recess of said sleeve to support the same, tongs for supporting saidimplement and its connected rod section or sections while the latter arebeing coupled or uncoupled, and counterbalancing devices for saidimplement and its feed-rod, substantially as specified.

18. In mechanism of the class described, the combination With a mainsupporting-bar, an auxiliary supporting-bar at right angles to saidfirst-named bar and having a longitudinal adjustment thereon, aradially-swinging arm pivoted at one end portion thereof to saidauxiliary bar, and having a longitudinal adjustment thereon, a wheel atthe free extremity of said arm, a wheel upon the pivotof said arm, andhaving a driving connect-ion with said first-named Wheel, and means fordriving said wheels, ofa tube-cleaning implement, and a feed-rodtherefor rotatably connected with said first-named wheel, substantiallyas specified.

19. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a mainsupporting-bar, an auxiliary supporting-bar at right angles to saidfirst-named bar,'and having a longitudinal adjustment thereon, aradially-swinging arm pivoted at one end portion thereof to saidauxiliary bar, and having a longitudinal adjustmentthereon, a wheel atthe free extremity of said arm, a wheel upon the pivot 01": said arm,and having a driving connection with said first-named wheel, and meansfor driving said wheels, of an endwise-moyable sleeve rotatably engagingsaid first-named wheel, a tube-cleaning implement, a feed-rod thereforrotatably engaging said sleeve, couplings for the sections of said rodrotatably engaging said first-named wheel, and means for supporting saidsleeve, substantially as specified.

20. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a supporthaving a longitudinal keyway, a clamp having a longitudinal adjustmentupon said support and having a key of less width than and engaginghaving a key of less width than and engaging said keyway to allowalimited pivotal adjustment of said auxiliarysupport upon said mainsupport, means for securing said auxiliary support in its adjustedposition, a drivingwheel carried by said auxiliary support, atube-cleaning implement, and a feed-rod therefor having a rotatableconnection with said wheel, substantially as specified.

22. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a support,a radiallyswinging arm pivoted to said support, a gearwheelat the freeextremity of said arm,a gearwheel upon the pivot of said arm and havinga driving connection with said first-named wheel, a driving-pulley alsoupon the pivot of said arm, and a driving-belt or the like for saidwheel, of a tube-cleaning implement, a feed-rod therefor having arotatable connection with said firstmamed wheel, guide-pulleys for saidbelt in the manhole of the boiler,

and guide-pulleys for said belt intermediate of said manhole, andfirst-named pulley, substantially as specified.

23, In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a support,a radiallyswingi ug arm pivoted to said support, a wheel at the freeextremity of said arm, and a wheel IIO upon the pivot of said arm andhaving a driving connection with said first-named wheel,

the combination with a support, a radiallyswinging arm pivoted to saidsupport, a wheel at the free extremity of said arm, and a wheel upon thepivot of said arm and having a drivaing connection with saidfirst-named'wheel of an endWise-movable sleeve rotatably c011 v nectedwith said first-named wheel, a tubecleaning implement, a feed-rodtherefor rota.- tably connected with said sleeve, couplings for thesections of said rod rotatablyconnected with said first-named Wheel,means for supporting said sleeve, means for supporting said implementand its connected rod section orsections while the latter are beingcoupled vor uncoupled, and means for driving said 15 wheel,substantially as specified;

In testimony whereofiwe aifix' our signatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

WILBER D. FORSYTH. I v ENOST. BELL.

Witnesses: A. FRASER LEGGATE,

JOHN B. STRAYER.

